Journal of endocrinological investigation
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J. Endocrinol. Invest. · Feb 2010
Comparative StudySalivary cortisol as an alternative for serum cortisol in the low-dose adrenocorticotropic hormone stimulation test?
Salivary cortisol is unaffected by cortisol binding globulin and reflects free serum cortisol as compared to total serum cortisol. ⋯ The salivary low-dose ACTH-test yields more dynamic responses than serum cortisol. However, the sensitivity and specificity of salivary cortisol are too low to be adequate as an alternative to the serum cortisol measurements. In women on estrogen therapy, however, the use of salivary cortisol might be superior to serum cortisol.